What do farmers want from Cereals 2010

Patrick Barker - Suffolk

Patrick Barker, who runs a family farming business with his cousin Brian near Stowmarket in Suffolk, says he is particularly interested in looking for new wild birdseed mixes at Cereals. Wild bird cover is an important part of the farm’s conservation management, he says.

“We’re always looking for wheat variety advice at the event and keeping up with the latest machinery developments.”

Kit Papworth - Norfolk

North Norfolk farmer Kit Papworth will be visiting Cereals as a farmer, and also as deputy chairman of farmer buying group, Anglia Farmers.

He says that, in addition to completing duties on the Anglia Farmers’ stand on both mornings of the event, he will also be promoting the John Deere RTK network that he and other like-minded growers have set up in his area.

“We want to get other proactive farmers involved in our network and Cereals is a good place to talk to people,” he says.
Mr Papworth has also heard rumours of some very large (45 or 50ft) combine headers entering the UK and he’s hoping to look at them at the show.

John Collen - Suffolk

A new self-propelled sprayer is on north east Suffolk farmer John Collen’s agenda when he visits Cereals 2010. He says he has already done the ground work, but the event is a good opportunity to see it in action again, and have time to speak with the manufacturer.

The new park and ride system, however, is a concern for him and he believes it is an ill-conceived idea by the organisers.

Alan Fuller - Cambridgeshire

Cereals is the one show we make the effort for, says Alan Fuller, who farms near Peterborough in Cambridgeshire.

“We’ll partly be looking at machinery this year and meeting as many of the trade guys who we deal with during the course of the year, such as grain buyers and fertiliser salesmen.

“We’ll also take in the demonstration plots, but it’s such an all- encompassing show that you can barely do it in a day.”

Terence Riley - Lincolnshire

Cereals is the only true arable event, says Lincolnshire farm manager Terence Riley. “I always try and go to get some new ideas as it’s the only marketplace for serious arable farmers.”

“This year we are keen to look at the variety trials and, in particular, researching the best option for a Group 3 soft wheat.”

Michael and Ann Dennis - South Yorkshire

The Dennis’s run a mixed farm at Brodsworth, near Doncaster, growing 142ha (350 acres) of cereals.

“Cereals is a good chance to catch up with all the people I do business with, but I like to look at trial plots of companies I don’t normally deal with. It is an opportunity to see the launch of new products and keep up with the latest developments.

“From a business point of view there are a lot of land agents, banks and that type of thing and I will be taking my son, George, who is 15. I think it’s important for him to know what’s happening, as any decisions we make about the future will affect him.

“He also wants to look at all the college stands to help him make up his mind where he wants to go,” says Mr Dennis.

Tim Blagg - Nottinghamshire

Tim Blagg grows 168ha (415 acres) of cereals at Retford,Nottinghamshire.

“It’s now a struggle to get round in one day, so I am thinking of staying overnight and going for two. As well as new varieties, I like to look at new machinery.

“I also like to meet my suppliers and it is a good opportunity to challenge them about various things, such as how they arrive at prices. I like the event because you are surrounded by farmers.”

Richard Wigley - Nottinghamshire

Richard Wigley grows 160ha (395 acres) of cereals at Shirebrook, near Mansfield.

“The main thing I will be looking at is the trial plots, in terms of new wheat varieties. I will talk to some of the merchants about forward selling of grain.

“I don’t usually bother with the machinery as it is mostly geared up to suit the very big farms, rather than your average size family farm.”

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